Walton and Frinton RNLI volunteer crew launch to a medical emergency

With the Pan Pan distress call acknowledged by Dover coastguard, details were passed that a crew member onboard the sailing vessel had fallen on deck and was suffering from back pain. With this information Dover Coastguard activated the pagers of the volunteer lifeboat crew at 4:53pm just as the working day was ending for many.

With details of the casualty known, the volunteer crew boarded the all-weather Tamar lifeboat and proceeded at best possible speed to rendezvous with the sail training vessel. Once on-scene, three first-aid trained crew members boarded the sail training vessel to undertake a casualty assessment. With concerns the casualty was experiencing some back pain and in the confines of the deck area the casualty was immobilised and made as comfortable as possible.

Soon after the initial assessment had been made updates were provided to the Coastguard, with an extended wait time given from the East of England Ambulance service, it was deemed that the casualty needed to be securely transferred to the lifeboat to allow her to be seen by Felixstowe port paramedic service.

The casualty was safely and securely transferred from the deck of the sailing vessel to the lifeboat within the orange basket stretcher which allowed the lifeboat to moor alongside Felixstowe port where a paramedic crew were waiting.

With the casualty handed over to the care of the port paramedic service, she was taken to Ipswich hospital for further assessment.

Russell Bettany, RNLI Volunteer crew member commented: 'The service call was a perfect example of the training and teamwork coming together to enable us to offer the help required.'

The lifeboat and volunteer crew were released by Dover Coastguard allowing them to return to station, with the lifeboat readied for service at 7:55pm.

RNLI Media contacts

For more information please telephone Miranda Rayner, Walton and Frinton RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07799691852 or email [email protected]

Dale Steggles, Walton and Frinton RNLI Deputy Press Officer on 07540802302 or email [email protected]

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.

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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

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